HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-28-25 The Fresh Weekly NewsletterNovember 28, 2025
PUBLIC MEETINGS
City Hall Meetings Schedule
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 - 7:00 p.m.
Meetings are held at City Hall, 3880 Laverne Ave N., Lake Elmo, MN
55042. Changes or cancellations will be posted at
Lakeelmo.gov/calendar.
How to Watch
Watch online or on cable television here.
Find meeting agendas and minutes at the City of Lake Elmo, MN
CITY BUSINESS
Lake Elmo prepares the proposed 2026 Budget and
Tax Levy.
The City’s annual budget is more than numbers on a page—it’s the
financial plan that supports day-to-day operations, drives community
projects, and helps carry out the priorities set by the City Council. It
guides policy decisions and ensures staff can deliver the services
and improvements our residents rely on.
State law requires cities to prepare a budget each year, but the
process is ongoing and thoughtfully designed. Our budgeting work is
shaped by long-term strategic planning, public feedback, and
direction from the City Council.
Want to learn more about the 2026 preliminary budget? Visit the
2026 Budget & Tax Levy page to see how the plan is being built and
what it means for Lake Elmo.
The City Council is scheduled to adopt the final levy and budget at
the December 16 City Council meeting.
It's Tree Trimming Time in Lake Elmo
October through March is the ideal time for tree trimming. Keeping
trees healthy and trimmed helps with safety, tree health, and overall
appearance throughout Lake Elmo.
Our Public Works team maintains trees in the City’s right-of-way to
ensure clear streets, visible signs, room for emergency vehicles, and
safe travel for everyone. Diseased or hazardous trees may be
removed, and branches are trimmed to provide proper clearance
over streets (20 ft) and sidewalks (7 ft).
In rural areas, small branches may be left behind; in neighborhoods,
they’re chipped and hauled away.
If a tree is blocking the road, interfering with homes or vehicles, or
creating a safety concern, it becomes a priority for our crews.
Thanks for giving Public Works room to work safely—and for helping
keep Lake Elmo’s streets clear and our trees healthy!
Garbage Container Placement
Did you know it is against city code to place your garbage bins in the
street? This is especially important during the winter months when
plows have difficulty clearing streets if bins block the roadways.
Garbage and recycling containers must be kept off the street
according to MN State Statutes 160.2715 (A) (2), City Ordinance
96.03, and 94.01. Containers can be placed in the driveway, away
from the street edge, so they remain accessible for pickup.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Learn About the Features on Our New Website
What's happening in Lake Elmo? Check out our Life in Lake Elmo
page. You can view the calendar to see upcoming meetings and find
information on sustainability, parks, community events, and resident
resources.
ROAD PROJECTS
Washington County / Lake Elmo Road Projects
Washington County's Phase 3 of the
County Highway 15 (Manning Avenue)
The project includes adding center-left and right-turn
lanes at key locations, eliminating (northerly) access
to Manning from 18th Street North, adding a trail
connection from 18th Street North to 18th Street Ct,
and pavement rehabilitation.
This project is expected to be completed by the end of
the fall. You can learn more here.
LAKE ELMO PARKS AND RECREATION
With over 500 acres of city parkland and more than 80 miles of trails, Lake Elmo features an extensive park
and trail system for residents and visitors to enjoy and explore. Our park and trail system provides a diverse
range of recreational opportunities, including organized sports, casual play, nature appreciation, hiking,
cross-country skiing, horseback riding, picnicking, relaxation, and many other outdoor activities.
Each park offers high-quality recreational facilities and open spaces for the community to enjoy while
preserving the history, setting, character, and unique features that make each park special. We are excited
to highlight one of Lake Elmo Park's parks biweekly, inviting our community to learn about and appreciate
the contributions these parks make to our growing and thriving community.
VFW Park
VFW Park, located at 3675 Layton Ave. N. is a 3.4-acre park with
baseball fields, batting cages, and portable toilets. This park,
primarily used for baseball, offers visitors the opportunity to practice
batting off the field and is adjacent to the Lions Park ball field.
Rumors are floating around that Public Works may start working on
the ice rinks next week if the weather is cold enough, so follow our
Facebook account to keep up to date!
Visit VFW Park or visit LakeElmo.gov to learn more about all our
parks.
LIFE IN LAKE ELMO
November is National Native American Heritage Month!
Join us November 22 at 1:00 pm at the Sally Manzara Interpretive
Nature Center for a special gathering with Dr. Paul Red Elk for an
interview about a Native American’s viewpoint on this created
holiday, life on the reservation and why people stay, discussion of
spirituality, ceremonies and basic life of historic native life.
If you want an opportunity to ask questions about Native life, Paul
will do his best to answer.
This is a rare and wonderful opportunity to connect to the Native
culture. The cost of this event is $25 per person. Visit our website to
sign up! Visit our website to sign up! Sally Manzara Interpretive
Nature Center
Light Up Lake Elmo returns December 6!
It's that time of year again! Our charming, small-town tradition, Light
Up Lake Elmo, is on Dec 6th from 3-5 pm. Keep an eye out for Santa
after 4:15, as he will roll in on a firetruck.
Gather in the Hagstrom Builder courtyard for caroling and tree
lighting, which will take place around 4:30. It's sure to be a magical
evening in Lake Elmo. Please note: To secure a safe area to stroll
Main Street and take in the festivities, Lake Elmo Ave will begin
closing just before 2:30 and will reopen after the crowd disperses
(between 5:00-5:30 pm) around the event area.
The event is organized by Connect Lake Elmo, in partnership with
the City of Lake Elmo, the Lake Elmo Fire Department, and the
Washington County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you to our sponsors, Lake Elmo Bank, Lake Elmo Rotary
Club, and Sally Manzara Nature Center.
Please visit the website below to learn more about our in-kind
sponsors who make this event really special, as well as the
businesses hosting activities that afternoon and evening.
You can find more at Light Up Lake Elmo on the Connect Lake Elmo
website.
Washington County Property Owners Eligible for a
Homestead Must Apply by December 31, 2025, for the
2026 Property Tax Year.
Property owners who have had a change in ownership or occupancy
and whose property qualifies for homestead classification should file
a homestead application with Washington County on or before Dec.
31, 2025.
Homestead classification affects the 2026 property tax, and it may
also affect eligibility for a property tax refund.
Property owners or qualifying relatives should apply by Dec. 31 if:
• They purchased a property in the past year and occupy the property
as their primary residence; or
• They occupy a property as their primary residence as of Dec. 31,
never updated the homestead in their name, or the property was
previously classified as non-homestead.
Who is a qualifying relative?
Qualifying relatives for residential and agricultural properties with a
house include a parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, brother,
sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece of the owner, or the owner's
spouse. For unoccupied agricultural property, a qualifying relative is
a parent, child, grandchild, or sibling of the owner or the owner's
spouse.
Once granted the homestead classification, no further applications
are necessary unless they are specifically requested by the county.
If a property owner sells, moves, or no longer qualifies for
homestead classification, they must notify the county within 30 days
of the change. Failure to notify may result in the property being taxed
as non-homestead.
How to apply:
Property owners can apply online at
WashingtonCountyMN.gov/Homestead.
For more information, call Washington County Assessment Support
at 651-430-6175 (option 4). Homestead | Washington County, MN -
Official Website
DNR Urges Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers to
Prioritize Kids' Safety Around Cold Water
As temperatures fall and ice begins forming on ponds, small lakes,
and other waterways across the state, the Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources reminds parents and guardians to talk with their
kids about the importance of safety on the ice and around the water.
It’s especially important given that many children are home over
Thanksgiving break.
Falling into the water this time of year, whether through thin ice or
into open water, can turn tragic quickly. It can incapacitate even the
strongest swimmers, so it’s up to parents and guardians to teach
their kids about the dangers of cold water and to ensure they’re
properly supervised whenever they’re around water.
Already this season, a DNR conservation officer and other rescue
personnel saved two teenagers who fell through thin ice in northern
Minnesota. "Kids tend to be curious about the water, but they might
not understand the dangers,” said Capt. Adam Block, boating law
administrator for the DNR. “Every type of waterway can be
dangerous this time of year, from small neighborhood ponds all the
way to our largest lakes and rivers.”
Wearing a foam-filled life jacket is the best way to stay safe around
cold water or survive an unexpected fall in. Foam is better than
inflatable life jackets this time of year, since the latter might not fully
inflate in cold water. In addition, Block recommends people carry a
phone in case they need to call for help, let others know where
they’re going and when they plan to return, and plan for how to deal
with an unforeseen incident.
For more information about surviving a fall into cold water, visit the
DNR cold water dangers webpage.
Be a Battery Hero This Holiday Season
‘Tis the season for twinkly lights, new gadgets, remote-controlled
everything… and a surprising number of worn-out batteries. Before
those little power packs roll around in junk drawers until next July,
give them the happy ending they deserve: recycling!
Instead of tossing old batteries in the trash (they hate that), drop
them off at a Washington County Environmental Center and let them
be reborn into something amazing. It’s like giving your used batteries
a second chance to shine—very on-brand for the holidays.
Be a Holiday Battery Hero! Visit Washington County Environmental
Services t o learn more and find your nearest environmental center.
New Utility Billing Payment Portal
We have moved to an intuitive new Utility Billing Portal called Paya.
Grab your City of Lake Elmo utility account number and proceed to Paya at the link below to register,
manage your account, set up autopay, or make payments.
LakeElmo.PayaCP.com
If Autopay isn't for you, try out the new Text-and-Pay option.
If you need assistance, reach out to us at RNess@LakeElmo.gov or call 651-747-3906.
What Do My Taxes Pay For?
The City Council will vote and adopt the 2026 Budget on December 16. City Finance staff have developed
a downloadable property tax calculator that estimates 2026 city taxes (no other jurisdictions) on your home.
It shows approximately how much of your taxes are allocated to each service area. Check it out here.
If you need to search your property, you can view the Washington County Property Tax Search here.
Safe Drinking Water Meeting Replay is Available
The City of Lake Elmo, along with the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency (MPCA) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), hosted
an informational meeting regarding PFAS, safe drinking water, and
private wells on July 25, 2024, where presentations were given by
MPCA, MDH, and Lake Elmo’s City Engineer as well as a question-
and-answer period for the participants.
The presentation slides are available here, and printed copies are
available at City Hall. A recording of the meeting is available here.
The Lake Elmo Community Development
Department is happy to share our new Sign
Guide, created to help local businesses and
residents understand the sign regulations in our
community. This guide offers information on the
types of signs allowed, size requirements,
placement, and more. Whether you are a
business owner looking to advertise or a
resident curious about neighborhood guidelines,
this is a good resource for you. Check out the
Lake Elmo Sign Guide (linked here: Sign Guide)
to learn more.
Join us on Nextdoor
Visit our website
Our mission is to provide quality public services in a fiscally responsible manner in
partnership with our community.
City of Lake Elmo | 3880 Laverne Avenue North | Lake Elmo, MN 55042 US
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